Pinewood vs Thermowood
Explore the difference between Pinewood and Thermowood to find the perfect fit for your space and lifestyle.
Pinewood
Pinewood is the standard choice for our barrel saunas, offering a perfect balance of durability, performance, and natural beauty for outdoor use.
- Sourced from sustainable European forests
- Strong, durable, and built for sauna conditions
- Handles heat and humidity cycles with ease
- Naturally aromatic for an authentic sauna feel
- Develops a natural silver-grey finish over time
- Easy to maintain with occasional wood treatment
Ideal for those seeking a high-quality sauna at great value, with a natural look and simple upkeep.
Thermowood
Thermowood is heat-treated pine designed for superior durability, stability, and long-term outdoor performance.
- Heat-treated at high temperatures (no chemicals)
- Low moisture content for maximum stability
- Resistant to warping, cracking, and swelling
- Performs exceptionally well in harsh outdoor conditions
- Naturally resistant to mould and decay
- Rich, darker tone for a more premium look
- Requires less ongoing maintenance
Perfect for those seeking a high-performance, low-maintenance sauna with a more premium finish.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pinewood | Thermowood | |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture content | Below 16% | Below 7% |
| Dimensional stability | Good | Excellent |
| Weather resistance | Good | Very high |
| Resistance to decay | Good | High |
| Appearance | Natural light pine | Darker warm brown |
| Maintenance required | Annual treatment recommended | Occasional treatment |
| Lifespan (with maintenance) | 15–20 years | 20–25+ years |
| Price | Standard | Premium |
Interior Bench Wood
Regardless of which exterior wood you choose, all Revival Health Labs saunas use black alder (humidity below 10%) for the interior benches. Black alder is a premium interior sauna timber that combines excellent heat resistance with a comfortable surface for sitting. It has a low thermal conductivity, meaning the bench surface does not get uncomfortably hot to touch even at high sauna temperatures. Black alder is used in professional and high-end residential saunas throughout Finland and Scandinavia.
Have a question not answered here?
Contact our team in Tipperary and we will be happy to help.